Black shoulder cords - Why are these different and which one do we order?

[Eclipse]

We need to order a couple black shoulder cords for Cadet Of The Month:
http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/CADET_OF_THE_MONTH_PROGRAM_DB7614BDD6704.pdf

VG has three different ones - any idea why? (I don't actually trust the photos, but they are below, regardless)


SKU: 3738500 UPC: 24768232732
ARMY SHOULDER CORD: 2723 INTERWOVEN ONE COLOR BLACK/CHAPLAIN $15.55


SKU: 3738505 UPC: 24768260377
ARMY SHOULDER CORD: 2723 INTERWOVEN ONE COLOR BLACK - THICK $18.30


SKU: 3740740BK UPC: 24768924033
USNSCC / NLCC SHOULDER CORD: 2723 INTERWOVEN ONE COLOR BLACK WITH SAFETY PIN $21.60

$6 is a pretty big price delta for something that looks the same to me.  Yes, I know there are alternative vendors,
but I have people who need VG only stuff so am using this as an opportunity to combine shipping.

[kwe1009]

No idea.  Check out paradestore.com .  They might have better options for less.

[SarDragon]

Give 'em a call. Photos 2 and 3 appear to be the same.

[lordmonar]

The first and second ones...look like they are different sizes.   The third one says it has a safety pin on it.

[BuckeyeDEJ]

The safety pin is so the sea cadets can wear the cord in their safe space, I take it?

[Abby.L]

The safety pin is so the sea cadets can wear the cord in their safe space, I take it?

I take it that you're kidding, but in all reality, I believe it's so that you can wear it on a jacket/shirt that doesn't have epaulets, so should also be "Solid" all around(Unlike the ones that we all know, where it has that single cord that goes under the epaulet). This would be, for example, the AF NCO service coat. This is all just speculation, of course, as we can't actually infer much from the pictures provided.

[DakRadz]

The pictures are (as presumed) unreliable.

Number three, with the safety pin, is the better deal all around. It works with all dress uniforms (as mentioned, no buttons for a loop on the USAF enlisted coats many cadets have, even as C/officers), and if everyone has the same, pinning it at the very edge of the uniform shirt/coat looks consistent and professional. I've had both styles as a cadet, and the pin is best.


Just find a better price. I know the Vanguard money comes back to CAP at some level, but that is just ridiculous. And obviously they say Army, so they simply overcharge everyone- that means CAP won't get much from these. Look elsewhere- paradestore was mentioned, I bought several nice items as a JROTC cadet and so did some of the instructors.

[kwe1009]

The pictures are (as presumed) unreliable.

Number three, with the safety pin, is the better deal all around. It works with all dress uniforms (as mentioned, no buttons for a loop on the USAF enlisted coats many cadets have, even as C/officers), and if everyone has the same, pinning it at the very edge of the uniform shirt/coat looks consistent and professional. I've had both styles as a cadet, and the pin is best.


Just find a better price. I know the Vanguard money comes back to CAP at some level, but that is just ridiculous. And obviously they say Army, so they simply overcharge everyone- that means CAP won't get much from these. Look elsewhere- paradestore was mentioned, I bought several nice items as a JROTC cadet and so did some of the instructors.

I think CAP only gets a cut from the CAP-specific items so they would get nothing from this purchase.  For the CAP stuff I believe NHQ gets 10%. 

[DakRadz]

I think CAP only gets a cut from the CAP-specific items so they would get nothing from this purchase.  For the CAP stuff I believe NHQ gets 10%.

#GuiltFree
#FreeMarket
#AlrightImDone



1st Lt Raduenz

[Eclipse]

Just find a better price. I know the Vanguard money comes back to CAP at some level, but that is just ridiculous. And obviously they say Army, so they simply overcharge everyone- that means CAP won't get much from these. Look elsewhere- paradestore was mentioned, I bought several nice items as a JROTC cadet and so did some of the instructors.

Full disclosure - I know.

I was really trying to point out that VG has the same item in the catalog 3 different
ways for three different prices.

Paradestore has the exact same cord for less than 1/2 the highest priced item:


Button Loop Cord: One Color
Price From: $9.25 SKU: 452 Cords

It would just be nice if someone at NHQ was charged with procurement issues such as this.
In this case, it's free market, but not a level playing field as CAP offers VG a captive market.
It's add-ons like this where companies make a lot of their profit - click below and burn some
corporate money at more then the rate necessary, or waste more of a member's already
precious time making them shop unnecessarily.

It's also somewhat disappointing that the highest priced item is listed as for the Sea Cadets.
Clearly CAP isn't the only cash cow on the block.

[kwe1009]

Just find a better price. I know the Vanguard money comes back to CAP at some level, but that is just ridiculous. And obviously they say Army, so they simply overcharge everyone- that means CAP won't get much from these. Look elsewhere- paradestore was mentioned, I bought several nice items as a JROTC cadet and so did some of the instructors.

Full disclosure - I know.

I was really trying to point out that VG has the same item in the catalog 3 different
ways for three different prices.

Paradestore has the exact same cord for less than 1/2 the highest priced item:


Button Loop Cord: One Color
Price From: $9.25 SKU: 452 Cords

It would just be nice if someone at NHQ was charged with procurement issues such as this.
In this case, it's free market, but not a level playing field as CAP offers VG a captive market.
It's add-ons like this where companies make a lot of their profit - click below and burn some
corporate money at more then the rate necessary, or waste more of a member's already
precious time making them shop unnecessarily.

It's also somewhat disappointing that the highest priced item is listed as for the Sea Cadets.
Clearly CAP isn't the only cash cow on the block.

Just like with CAP regs, the pictures are not necessarily accurate and are for general reference only.  For a business like VG, it is not very good practice to not have accurate images for products that are for sale.